Ticks that infect migratory birds can travel with their hosts thousands of kilometers away from their natural habitat, say scientists published in the journal Frontiers.
As I added, in the past they were not able to permanently occupy new areas, at least because of the different climate. But now, climate change is making it easier for ticks to survive, reproduce, and spread to new areas. This means that pathogens will also be introduced into new areas.
“As conditions become more favorable in areas previously inhospitable to tropical tick species, there is a risk that new diseases will emerge,” said lead author Shahid Karim of the University of Southern Mississippi. said the doctor. .
Stowaways and migratory birds. Ticks can spread disease
Ticks are called vectors that transmit diseases. This means, among other things, that they can transmit pathogenic microorganisms unique to wild animals, such as the spirochete that causes Lyme disease, to humans and pets. They can travel long distances by parasitizing birds, especially migratory birds.
Global temperature changes are making it easier for some ticks to colonize new locations as invasive species. This process can happen very quickly. For example, the Asian longid tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) was first detected in New Jersey in 2017 and has since been found in 14 other U.S. states.
See also: New ways to deal with ticks. We are creating a special map
“The geographic distribution of many tick species is changing rapidly,” notes study co-author Dr. Lorenza Beatty of Georgia Southern University.
The problem of the presence of alien ticks also concerns central and northern Europe, where the Hyalonid tick, typical of Africa and Southeast Asia, has been observed for several years. Hyalonma can be involved in the transmission of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and other pathogens that can pose a threat to humans and animals both in livestock and on farms. Hyalonma larvae are spread by migratory birds. For example, adult ticks have been recorded in Poland (10 officially confirmed individuals), Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Sweden.
Invasive mite species. carries dangerous bacteria
Scientists analyzed the bacteria present inside the ticks using a microscope. The most common turned out to be Francisella, which lives inside the tick as a symbiont. The second most common bacteria were various species of Rickettsiae. In humans, some species of these bacteria can cause diseases such as spotted fever.
Scientists say further research is needed on the topic of bird and tick migration. For example, it is necessary to determine whether birds that currently do not have ticks are carriers of pathogenic microorganisms associated with ticks.
See also: Poland already has invasive ticks. they are very dangerous
– Ticks are not only vectors of new pathogens. If they are able to perpetuate their populations, they may become further vectors of already existing pathogens, or they may begin to transmit naturally occurring pathogens, contributing to their further success and further spread. Karim says that there is a gender.
Scientists remind us to use repellents to repel ticks. Every time you walk in the woods where there are ticks, you should check your body and clothing for ticks.
read more
Source link
